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The Bottom Line (The Ladies Who Lunch #1) by Sandy James-Review,Interview and Giveaway

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THE BOTTOM LINE (The Ladies Who Lunch #1) by Sandy James-review, interview and giveaway

The Bottom Line Banner

The Bottom Line
The Ladies Who Lunch #1
by Sandy James
Genre: contemporary, romance,
Release Date: May 6, 2014

The Bottom Line

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 6, 2014

When life gets tough and love is hard to find, four friends take their troubles to lunch. Surviving a failed marriage and an illness that almost takes her life, high school teacher Mallory Hamilton needs the Ladies Who Lunch more than ever . . .

After a year of upheaval, Mallory has had her fill of change—with one exception. Her house is a disaster, and she wants it fixed. Hiring a contractor to finish the projects her ex-husband started will help her banish the past so she can return to the life she had before everything went awry. But her contractor is sexy, sweet, and single, which threatens the peaceful, solitary life Mallory has planned for herself.

Ben Carpenter has had a hard time raising his daughter without his ex-wife’s help. His new client’s projects will give him the extra income he needs, not to mention afternoons alone with a gorgeous woman. Though their attraction is undeniable, Ben sees the fear and pain hiding in Mallory’s beautiful eyes. But how can he help her if she won’t let him in? Ben can fix just about anything—but can he fix Mallory’s broken heart?

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE BOTTOM LINE is the first instalment in Sandy James’s contemporary, romance series focusing on a group of female teachers who meet every day at lunch to discuss life, love and growing old. This is Mallory and Ben’s storyline-one the focuses on a second chance at love for both but not before heartbreak and misunderstanding push the couple apart.

Sandy James writes an engaging story where one woman has faced a life altering situation and survived. Hoping for a new direction, she hires local contractor Ben Carpenter to remodel her house and in doing so finds that she begins to remodel her life. Ben and Mallory are immediately attracted to one another but Mallory is hiding a secret-one that even many of her fellow colleagues are unaware-and it is a secret she fears will push Ben away when the truth is revealed.

This is a friends to lovers storyline where second chances are complicated when past issues are left unresolved. Mallory’s private and personal ‘problems’ drive a major portion of the storyline and in this there is a constant struggle about decisions, revelations and between friends. Although her friends mean well and are very over protective, there comes a time when everyone must make their first solo venture into the world of dating and love. The sexual tension between Mallory and Ben is palpable; their love making is sensual, romantic and not over the top.

The secondary characters are colorful and become our heroine’s constant source of support and turmoil. The world building focuses on the friends and colleagues who gather each day for lunch and on weekends at the local church singles dance.

THE BOTTOM LINE is a compelling story about one woman’s struggle and the decisions she must make with regards to her future. It is a story where past betrayals are a constant reminder and sometimes the present may be all you have. It is also a story about two people who have been given a second chance-for love and life-and their hopes that a future together will be loving and long.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

Interview

TRC: Hi Sandy and welcome to The Reading Cafe. Congratulations on the release of THE BOTTOM LINE.

Sandy JamesFollow Sandy at :  Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Sandy: I’m a teacher, a job that’s becoming more challenging by the day thanks to “the powers that be.” It wasn’t my intended profession. I always believed I’d be a lawyer. But children came faster than my husband and I expected, so I chose a career that would give me more time with my daughter and son. It was the right decision, something I’m reminded of every time I step in front of a class.

Somewhere in my late twenties, I started having odd physical symptoms ranging from thyroid problems to rashes to swollen joints to horrible fatigue. After years of having no idea what was wrong, to the point everyone—including me—believed I might be a hypochondriac, I was finally diagnosed with lupus. I make a point of mentioning it on my website, during interviews, and whenever I conduct workshops, because I think it’s important to show other lupus sufferers that you can still have a productive life despite this damned illness.

TRC: How do you handle the pressures of being a high school teacher and writing romance on the side?

Sandy: My children are both grown, married, and living their lives, which means my nest is empty. My husband and I moved to a smaller home last summer. It’s been such a great change. The place is so easy to clean, and with just the two of us, there’s not nearly as much to do. That helps considerably. Being a teacher actually helps my writing career since we’re off in June and July. Our school also dismisses at 2:30, which gives me a lot of afternoon time to write.

TRC: You and your husband own a small racing stable of Standard bred Harness horses. How did you venture into the Harness racing business?

Sandy: When Jeff and I were first married (back in the Stone Age), we lived in Chicago. The only person we knew there was my cousin. At the time, she was married to one of the best harness drivers in the country. Since we began to spend a lot of time together, Jeff and I learned to enjoy the sport.

Around his fortieth birthday, he started researching owning a horse. He’s such a great guy, I wanted to help him chase the dream. So after he explained it all to me, I went to the bank to get a loan to help him buy that first horse. It’s become such a great part of our lives. Not only do we both love the animals, the people in the racing world are such a kick to be around.

TRC: Have you ever considered a series focusing on horse racing?

Sandy: I actually wrote Murphy’s Law to share my love of harness racing with my readers. The horses also appear in All the Right Reasons. But I have a new series my agent is pitching to editors right now that goes back to the track! (Shameless plug—Both those books are in The Damaged Heroes Collection, which is only 99 cents for all five books right now.)

The Bottom LineTRC: THE BOTTOM LINE is your May 2014 release in The Ladies Who Lunch series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Sandy: There’s a lot of my life in this series. I have eaten lunch with my own “Ladies” for several years, so it seemed like a great tribute to them and their friendship to include that kind of relationship in my stories.

The Ladies Who Lunch is a group of four teachers who are tightly bonded. The reader gets to see life through their eyes. I love that the heroines are different ages (in their twenties and thirties) and have such distinct personalities.
The Bottom Line explores the issue of what it’s like to be a breast cancer survivor. Two of my own “Ladies” have weathered that choppy ocean, and I tried to honor their strength and grace in the character of Mallory.

TRC: Are any of the characters or the storyline premise based in reality?

Sandy: In some ways, all my characters have a basis in reality. I never model a character after a distinct person, but when I have a friend, relative, or student who has a distinct personality or trait, I often incorporate that into my characters. The only heroine who I can say is “me” is Jackie Delgado from Turning Thirty-Twelve. I channeled myself quite strongly into her.

Signed Sealed DeliveredTRC: SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED is the next instalment in The Ladies Who Lunch Series. Would you please tell us about the premise and whose storyline it will be?

Sandy: Juliana gets the spotlight in Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Her story heats up very quickly when she starts to explore the possibility of leaving teaching for a more lucrative job, a crossroads many teachers face. At a real estate seminar, she meets Connor, a man who inspires her in many, many ways.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Sandy: The series is four books—one for each of my Ladies. Any expansion on it would be about the small town in which they live, Cloverleaf, Illinois. I love writing about small town life! This town is based loosely on my in-laws’ hometown of Mt. Carmel, Illinois.

TRC: What are your thoughts on writing a series and ending an instalment with a major cliff hanger?

Sandy: I think it’s horrible! One thing I believe readers depend upon is a writer to leave them satisfied at the end of a story. A cliffhanger is almost cruel to readers!

I also like writing “closed” series. Two of mine—The Ladies Who Lunch and The Alliance of the Amazons—are limited to four books. There’s a distinct ending to each of the books, and the last book wraps up all four of the stories as well.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Sandy: Sometimes I think the characters are more in charge than I am. I always have a plan in mind, but writing can become such an adventure. For example, Ross in Murphy’s Law and Free Falling is named after a former student who wanted me to give a villain his name. I tried to make Ross a bad guy, a shyster lawyer in Murphy’s Law. I honestly tried. But the fictitious Ross would have none of it. He was such a good character and nice guy he became the hero in Free Falling.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Sandy: The characters have to be “real” to the writer. I think my background in psychology helps me tremendously in creating realistic characters. To achieve this, a writer needs to feel what the characters are feeling. I know when I’m writing happy scenes, I’m in a great mood. Writing black moments almost always makes me look at life in a pessimistic way. I ride the same roller coaster every character rides throughout a story.

Where do writers fail? Whenever a character is so wooden she becomes cliché. I’ve read a few stories where the heroes or heroines were all but cardboard, because nothing they did or felt seemed authentic. As I said, knowledge of psychology is the best tool, which is why I started teaching psychology workshops for authors.

TRC: Writer’s Block is a very real phenomenon. How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of writer’s block?

Sandy: I need to knock on wood as I say this, but I’ve never had writer’s block. When my agent started selling books on proposal (three chapters and a synopsis) rather than as a completed manuscript, I worried whether I’d be able to write with my “back to the wall.” Turns out that deadlines are highly motivating for me!

There’s always a touch of anxiety in my writing process, but I attribute that to my being such a superlative Type A personality. I like being busy. I love being super busy. But the baggage to that is there’s always an element of anxiety involved.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties (research, logistics, background) did you encounter writing this particular story and series?

Sandy: The Ladies Who Lunch might be a tightknit group of friends, but their situations are unique. I’ve had to research breast cancer treatments, the process of breast reconstruction, how to sell real estate, home renovation, adoption law… You name a topic, it probably pops up in The Ladies Who Lunch. Of course, variety is the spice of life. Right?

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Sandy: I’m blessed to have wonderful critique partners, all of whom are published authors. Cheryl Brooks is well-known for her Cat Star Chronicles, Nan Reinhardt writes great stories with mature heroines, and Sandra Owens has some marvelous historical romances close to release. I also have a friend/critique partner/cheerleader in Leanna Kay. The two of us have worked together since the very first book I wrote back in 2006.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Sealing The DealSandy: I just wrapped up Sealing the Deal (Ladies Who Lunch book 3) and have shifted back to my historical series, Safe Havens. The fourth book will revolve around Kayla and Drake, characters introduced in Redeemed (book 3). Kayla has a major secret, one that is going to follow her to White Pines. Hopefully, my new horseracing series will find a good home soon! Then it’s “full steam ahead” on those books!

TRC: What three things would you like to accomplish in the next five years?

Sandy: I want to make the USA Today or NYT bestsellers’ list so badly! I’m trying to do my best to get word out there about my books through reviews and interviews (thanks again for hosting me today!), and hopefully, my momentum will continue.

As much as I enjoy teaching, I would love to be able to transition into being a full-time writer. The lupus makes being a good teacher a little tougher every day. The fatigue is the worst. If I could write full-time, I wouldn’t have to wake up so early, and if I needed a quick nap, I could take one.

TRC: What is something that few, if any people, know about you?

Sandy: I don’t have an abundance of self-esteem. I was overweight as a child, and I lived in an isolated neighborhood, so I didn’t know most of the kids at school the same way they all knew each other. I often felt like an outsider, and I was teased a lot for being chubby and not “fitting in.” I was also a horrible nerd, which only hurt my chance of being popular in any way, shape, or form. My first true friends came in junior high, and I’ve always been grateful to Angela and Karen for helping me start down the road of learning to like myself.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Sandy: I just want to thank my entire family for their unending support. Getting a writing career off the ground isn’t easy, and without them, I’d never be where I am today.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Snow Crab

Favorite Dessert
Cheesecake

Favorite TV Show
The Walking Dead

Last Movie You Saw
Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Milk! Dark is yuck.

Secret Celebrity Crush
Robert Downey Jr.

Last Vacation Destination
New York City

Pet Peeve
Students acting stupid in the locker bank

TRC: Thank you Sandy for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best.

Giveaway-Blue:Black

Sandy is offering the following giveaway package. There will be three (3) winners.

First Prize: One lucky commenter will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Second Prize: Two lucky commenters will receive an ecopy of THE BOTTOM LINE by Sandy James

Sandy James prize

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. LIKE SANDY JAMES on Facebook.

6. The giveaway is open internationally wherever Amazon is available.

7. The giveaway runs from April 24 to April 30, 2014

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Catching Up with Theresa Rizzo-Interview & Giveaway

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Catching Up with Theresa Rizzo

Just Destiny Banner

Theresa_2013_0353
The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome back Theresa Rizzo. Theresa is here today to discuss her new release, Just Destiny. Our review of Just Destiny is below this post. Theresa will also tell us what she has in store for us in 2014.

Let’s talk to Theresa.

 

 

 

TRC: Hi, Theresa.  Thank you for taking the time to visit us again at The Reading Cafe, to discuss your upcoming new release “Just Destiny”, as well as to give an update as to what you have upcoming in 2014.

Theresa: Hi Barb, thanks so much for having me on The Reading Café!

TRC: Your first novel, He Belongs to Me had wonderful reviews.  How did you feel, especially being your first book, with the positive reviews, and commenters saying how much your story effected them emotionally?

Theresa:  I couldn’t be more pleased with the warm reception He Belongs to Me has gotten. I worked hard for more than a dozen years learning the industry and growing in my craft and it’s great to see how this story touched people’s hearts and entertained them.

Just Destiny

 

TRC: You have just released your new novel Just Destiny, would you please give us a brief description of the book?

Theresa:  Just Destiny is a love story wrapped in suspenseful courtroom drama. It’s about a grieving young woman, willing to risk embarrassment and possibly revealing long-held family secrets in court, for the right to conceive her dead husband’s baby, and her lawyer, best friend’s struggle to help her, despite his reservations.

You can order Just Destiny at  these links:
.Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBookstore /  Smashwords

TRC: Can you please tell us how you come up with the idea of this story?

Theresa:  My husband was on a business trip on my birthday, so my sister and brother-in-law took me out to dinner to celebrate and I’d cut out this article in the newspaper about a woman being sued by her deceased husband’s family to keep her from having his baby after he was dead.

The idea of having your dead husband’s baby seemed bizarre, but still it struck me as a frivolous, ridiculous lawsuit.  I figured it wasn’t anybody’s business, after all once you get married, your body’s mine and mine’s yours, right?

My attorney sister got this puzzled look on her face and said, “Actually that’s a really interesting legal issue.  I wonder if sperm is considered property . . .”

And then my brother-in-law looked at her, saying, “I’m not sure I’d want you to have my baby after I’m gone.”

So we discussed some legal and moral implications of the situation and what had initially seemed so incredibly simple and private suddenly became complicated and intriguing, propelling me to do some research into the legalities and morality of the issue.

I was so fascinated with the idea that I had to build a book around it.

TRC: Your first two books, He Belongs to Me and now Just Destiny are very emotional stories. How much research do you put into these books?  Also, when writing stories that have such deep emotional conflicts, do you find it difficult to write?

Theresa:  I do a TON of research—actually it seems that each book requires more and more research.  I have binders and word files FULL of research that take as much as a month or three to accumulate.

Not only do I research on-line, but then I email experts in the industry asking questions, make field trips to locations where I set various scenes in the stories, or asking my legal and medical experts to read scenes/chapters etc and reword dialogue so it sounds accurate and natural—or tell me where I’m taking artistic liberties.

For instance, an attorney would NEVER hold up a finger and tell a judge to wait a minute as the attorney did in He Belongs to Me—however it worked for the story and added to the drama, so I kept it.

I only write stories that fascinate me, so I enjoy learning new things, but also, I really don’t want to be inaccurate. I want to give my readers my very best effort and produce a story I can be proud of.

You know, I love writing deeply emotional stories and when I cry or chuckle writing something, I know it’s good.  I cried and cried while Jenny was in the hospital with Gabe. Setting up the story just broke my heart. But I ADORE the holiday party that Jenny accompanied Steve to. Writing that, reading that, made me really happy.

And my heart ached for Steve’s situation.  He was living one of my worst nightmares. But I don’t mind putting my characters through the wringer because I KNOW they will have a happy ending.  In the beginning, I have no idea what that happy ending is or how they’re gonna get there, but I promise myself that I will help them fix things and they WILL have that happily ever after.

TRC: Do you have any desire to write in another genre?

Theresa:  I have written a romantic suspense I’m going to publish early 2015 and have a rough draft of another romantic suspense I’ll finish and put out after that.

I write the story that I can’t get out of my head regardless of genre, but you’ll never find me writing a historical –I simply don’t have the “voice” for that as much as I enjoy reading them.

TRC: Would you like to share with us what you are currently working on, and what you have in store for us in 2014?

Theresa:  In the fall I’ll put out my next book, The Lives Between Us, which is book dealing with love, loss, revenge, and making hard choices. Here’s the description:

Grieving the loss of her beloved niece, reporter Skylar Kendall plots revenge on the US Senator who opposed life-saving stem cell research and therapy. She becomes romantically involved with his best friend, putting her in the perfect position to tear the senator’s world apart when tragedy strikes.  Only, she hadn’t counted on falling in love.

Sen. Hastings’s tragedy would absolutely make Skylar’s career and satisfy her thirst for revenge, but can she betray her new love and friends?

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Theresa:  I want to thank you for having me on your blog and reading and reviewing my books. The greatest challenge for any self-published author is discoverability and I am so very grateful to every single generous reader who makes the time to write me a review and tell a friend about my book or host me on their blog.

Thank you so very much for your support!

TRC: Thank you, Theresa for giving us an update on Just Destiny, as well as what we can look forward to in the future.  It was a pleasure talking with you again.  We wish you good luck with the Just Destiny, and hope to catch up with you again.

You can find more about Theresa on the web at www.theresarizzo.com, or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads.
giveawayTheresa has graciously offered to give one member of The Reading Café a chance to win an e-copy of her new release, Just Destiny.

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Giveaway open Internationally

4.  Contest runs from March 30 – April 3, 2014

 

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Sarah Harian – The Wicked We Have Done – Interview and Review

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Sarah Harian – The Wicked We Have Done – Interview and Review

 

The Wicked We Have Done
Chaos Theory – Book #1
by Sarah Harian
Release Date: March 18th, 2014

The Wicked We Have DoneLinks to order The Wicked We Have Done:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Description:
Evalyn Ibarra never expected to be an accused killer and experimental prison test subject. A year ago, she was a normal college student. Now she’s been sentenced to a month in the compass room—an advanced prison obstacle course designed by the government to execute justice.

If she survives, the world will know she’s innocent.

Locked up with nine notorious and potentially psychotic criminals, Evalyn must fight the prison and dismantle her past to stay alive. But the system prized for accuracy appears to be killing at random.

She doesn’t plan on making friends.

She doesn’t plan on falling in love, either

 

Review:

The Wicked We Have Done by Sarah Harian is the first book in her new adult dystopian  thriller, Chaos Theory series. When asked to review this book, I thought the premise sounded interesting, and decided to give it a try. I was totally surprised to find myself immediately hooked and unable to put this book down until the very end. If this is Sarah Harian’s debut novel, please please count me in for the next one and thereafter, as this is a magical beginning to a wonderful career.

The Wicked We Have Done is a story of survival and redemption in a futuristic world.  Not quite like the Hunger Games, though with a survival theme very similar.  This is a story with young people who have been convicted of a major crime, who are given a choice; immediate death penalty or accept a one month stay in The Compass Room. If they survive, they will go free, but the percentage of survival is slimmer then none.  The Compass Room is even scarier than the arena in the Hunger Games.  This was a thriller a minute, and though these characters, many of whom were bad to the bone; some of the others you found yourself caring very much for, as you prayed and rooted for the their survival.

Evalyn Ibarra is our heroine, who is the major focus of this story.  Evalyn committed a terrible crime, and is considered a terrorist, and very much hated.  But is Evalyn truly guilty?  Throughout the book, there are some flash backs, as we find out what really happened, and why.   From the start, when we meet Evalyn, we find ourselves becoming attached to her, as we watch her say goodbye to her little 5 year old brother, who was adorable and precious.  Evalyn’s strong love for her brother stood out.  Allowing us to ask ourselves, “can you truly be capable of such love, and yet be a cold blooded murderer”? We knew there was something more behind it, as we anxiously waited to find out more.

When taken away, Evalyn travels with the other criminals who are going to The Compass Room, and before they reach their destination, a video is shown describing each of their crimes.  To tell too much more would be giving too many spoilers. But I will say that Harian gives us some fantastic characters; Evalyn is awesome; Casey, was mean at the start, but turned into an equally awesome hero; Valerie, was totally unlikeable when we first meet her, but she too turned out to be great; Jace, Tanner, were also very good, and the unredeemable characters were written very well.  Harian had us glued to our seat, as each of them in The Compass Room must face their past, and find a way to survive against the odds, at the same time prove that they can be redeemed.  Will Evalyn survive?  Is there life after The Compass Room? 

The Wicked We Have Done is a totally different story of survival, in a terrifying race to the finish.  Harian pulls quite a bit of our emotions in this exciting story, filled with nonstop action & great characters; while reading we range from emotional, scary, sad,  and very very intense. Within this tense story, there is a budding romance that at first you could not imagine, but turned out to be a beautiful slow to build relationship.  I cannot wait for the next book in this series.  Sarah Harian is an excellent writer, and I can look forward to more of the same in the future.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Interview-Blue

Sarah Harian 2

 

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Sarah Harian to discuss her debut novel.

Welcome to The Reading Café, Sarah.   Having read The Wicked We Have Done, I was completely in awe of your writing in your first book!  We are happy to do this interview and learn more about all things Sarah Harian.

 

 

Sarah: So glad I could share it with you. Thank you!

TRC:  Please tell us something about yourself?  Have you always been interested in writing?

Sarah:  I’ve been writing since I was eight. I was super into Nancy Drew as a kid, so naturally I started a novel about twins who discovered a secret tunnel in their basement. When I was older I got really into fan fiction. I kept trying to write a novel of my own but was always too impatient to get past the first 50 pages or so. Finally, when I was twenty, I finished my first book. So yes, I’ve always been interested in writing. The writing part sucks (haha) but I absolutely love creating stories.

TRC: Tell us how you came up with the idea of your Chaos Theory series?

Sarah:  Most of my ideas are wilderness-based because I love nature and the mountains. I also have a weird obsession with either combining technology and nature or pitting them against each other. I knew I wanted to do this in Chaos Theory, but I also wanted to write something that was both thrilling and emotional. I’m a huge fan of LOST and was re-watching the series when I came up with the idea, and the show inspired me a lot.

TRC: The Wicked We Have Done, the first book in this series, is your debut novel.  Can you share with us your reaction when you found out your book was being published?

Sarah:  I was actually hiking when my agent called me and had no service. It wasn’t until I was driving back into town that I got her voicemail and emails that all said “Call me!!!” I was having heart palpitations until I found a place on the side of the road where I had enough signal to hold a call. I’m pretty sure I just said, “Okay,” when she told me the news because I was in a state of shock, but my hiking partner/BFF was sitting next to me and could hear everything, and she started having a silent freak out, which was amusing to say the least.

TRC:  Can you please tell us the general premise for your Chaos Theory series? Also, how many books do you anticipate for this series?

Sarah : The Chaos Theory series is about a near-future world where scientists can predict the moral compass of an individual through readings of emotions and hormones. When criminals are convicted of a crime, they’re tested in order to see if their evil doing was a one-time act, or if they’re truly wicked. The wicked are killed in a Compass Room–a technologically-advanced prison that measures morality when inmates are faced with simulations of their crime.

Currently, the series consists of two novels and a novella.

The Wicked We Have Done

 

TRC:  Please give us a brief description of The Wicked We Have Done?

Sarah:  Twenty-two-year-old Evalyn Ibarra is sent to a Compass Room after being convicted of shooting up her school. While faced with terrifying illusions of what she’s done, she also makes friends with fellow inmates, and ends up fighting to save their lives.

 

 

TRC:  What was the most fun/most difficult scene to write in The Wicked We Have Done?

Sarah:  The most fun scene, and one of my favorites, is the scene where Evalyn paints a sky on Casey’s chest. I love writing foreplay and it is both an odd and sexy scenario.

The hardest scene was a death scene (I won’t be specific because I don’t want to give anything away). For being the author of a book with a lot of death in it, I actually hate thinking about death and writing it. I end up crying a lot and need to take constant breaks. It’s pretty pathetic. 

TRC:  A Vault of Sins is your 2nd book in the Chaos Theory, which is set for a September, 2014 release.   Can you tell us anything about this sequel? 

Sarah:  I can’t say a whole lot, but I can say that the book is going to be about choosing the harder path when faced with tough decisions, even when you aren’t obligated to. It’s also going to be about Evalyn coping with being a nationally-hated figure and how she chooses to handle the darkness that her public image brings her.

TRC:  The Chaos Theory is a dystopian New Adult book. Do you have any desire to write other genres?

Sarah:  I write Young Adult as well as New Adult. I really love speculative fiction and plan on sticking with writing science fiction/fantasy/horror, etc.

TRC:  Can you tell us what are you currently working on?

Sarah: I’m currently working on a Chaos Theory novella that’s slated for August. It’s going to be in Valerie’s point of view. I’m very excited about it.

TRC:  What is your writing process?  Do you like to outline your story before you start? Do you have a specific place you like to write? 

Sarah:  I usually write on my couch, at a café, or on my patio. I tend to do a very bare-bones outline before starting, but nothing more. Then I just write—well, word vomit would be a more appropriate term. I don’t even know the characters yet or what scene is going to come after the one I’m writing. My first drafts are atrocious, and I end up rewriting the entire book. But it’s a necessary part of my process. I hate following strict outlines because they leave me no room to consider what could be. TWWHD went through probably ten drafts and one complete rewrite.

TRC:  Many authors have friends or family, that they bounce ideas and information back and forth.  Do you have anyone you like to discuss your story with? 

Sarah:  I have an army. I’m a very needy writer. Lucky I’m blessed with several AMAZING critique partners that will listen to me and help me figure things out. I believe strongly that every writer needs this sort of support base, as well as people who are willing to give brutally honest feedback.

TRC:  Would you like to add anything else?

Sarah:  These were awesome questions! Thanks so much for having me!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Sushi

Favorite Dessert: Cookie Dough

Favorite TV Show: Tie between LOST and Firefly

Favorite Actor & Actress (TV or Movies) Currently Jennifer Lawrence and Tom Hardy

Last Book You Read: The Waking Dark by Robin Wasserman

Favorite Fictional Character (not your own): Currently a tie between Todd Hewitt from Chaos Walking Trilogy and Quintana from Lumatere Chronicles.

Milk or Dark Chocolate: Dark

Dog or Cat: Dog

If you want to learn more about Sarah, you can find her at the following links.
Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Sarah, thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions.  The Reading Café wishes you good luck with The Wicked We Have Done.

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Catching Up with Anne Bishop

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Catching Up with Anne Bishop

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Anne Bishop photo

 

The Reading Cafe is thrilled to welcome back the wonderful Anne Bishop.

Anne has her new release, Murder of Crows being released tomorrow. This is the second book in her fantastic The Others series.

Let’s talk to Anne.

 

 

Hi, Anne.  We are thrilled to have you back with us again at The Reading Cafe, to discuss your new release “Murder of Crows”, as well as to give us an update as to what else you may be working on.

TRC:  You have just released the 2nd book in your The Others series.  For those of our members who have not read this series, can you give us a description of the premise of The Others? 

Anne:  The Others is an urban fantasy series set in a re-imagined Earth, where the earth natives, the supernatural beings like shape-shifters and vampires–are the dominant species that has control of most of the world. They see humans as lesser predators and a different kind of meat. Add into the mix humans living in cities surrounded by land controlled by the earth natives, always being watched for any transgression of the agreements made between the species. And to round things out, add in a girl who sees the future when her skin is cut, a girl who has run away from the man who owned her and wants to live her own life–even if it kills her. I stirred that collision of cultures and needs and came up with Written in Red, the first book in the series.

TRC:   Do you find it easier writing the second book of a series, especially having completed most of your research for the first book, and knowing your wonderful characters?

Anne:   No, it’s not easier. There is the challenge of remembering all the myriad details about the world so that simple things don’t change (is that a door or a gate?). There is holding on to the essence of each character while allowing them to continue to grow. And there is always more to learn. While Simon and Meg are still at the center of the story, in book two, our view of their world expands a little as we meet another group of humans who have their own secrets. So I wouldn’t say my research is done. It’s closer to the truth to say I have the foundation now to build on.

Murder of Crows.March 14jpgTRC:  Murder of the Crows is being released tomorrow, March 4th.  Can you please give us a brief description of the book?

Anne:   When Meg Corbyn has a prophetic dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard, the leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, starts wondering why Crows are being killed in so many human cities across Thaisia. Is it because Crows are easier to kill than the larger, predatory earth natives? Or is it because their tendency to poke around in human trash to find little treasures might uncover something humans don’t want the Others to know–something that reveals a secret about the girls called cassandra sangue?

Links to order Murder of Crows:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

TRC:  When we last asked you how many books you were planning on this series, you stated at least two.  Is Murder of Crows the last book in this series, or will there be more books? 

Anne:   I’ve just finished writing the third book in the series. It went to my editor the other day, so it doesn’t have an official title yet. Will there be more beyond that? I’m playing with some possibilities of what might follow the events in book 3. I’ll present those to my agent and editor soon.

TRC:   What was your reaction when you found out that Written in Red was nominated on Goodreads & RT Awards for being one of the best books of 2013?  I thought it was one of my favorite books of the year, and certainly best new series.

Anne:   There was dancing. And many phone calls. And face muscles that cramped because I smiled so much. I kind of color outside the genre lines because it gives my imagination such a zing of energy to mix things up a bit and create something different. That can be risky. The nominations confirmed that readers, and reviewers, were willing to have fun with the story too.

TRC:   Would you like to share with us what you are currently working on, and what you may have upcoming in 2014?

Anne:   As I said, I’ve just finished the third book about the Others and haven’t yet settled on the story I’ll write in 2014, although I don’t think the Others are quite finished yet. As for the books, Murder of Crows will come out in the US and Australia. Daughter of the Blood is coming out in the UK this week and will also be released in Brazil sometime this year. And the French edition of Written in Red may come out this year as well.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Anne:   I’m having a wonderful time writing about the Others, and I’m very glad you’re all having just as much fun reading the stories.

TRC:   Thank you, Anne for giving us an update on Murder of the Crows, as well as what we can look forward to in the future.  It was a pleasure having you visit us again. 

Anne:   Thank you, Barb. Arroo!

If you would like to learn more about Anne, you can visit her at the following links:  Website:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

 

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Anne is offering a hardcopy of Murder of Crows and a paperback of Written in Red to one lucky commenter of TRC.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Giveaway open to USA & Canada only.

4. Giveaway runs from March 3 – 8, 2014

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Hot Rock by Annie Seaton-Review and Interview with the Author

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Hot Rock by Annie Seaton -Review and Interview with the Author

 

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Hot Rock
by Annie Seaton
Release Date: February 24, 2014
Genre: romance, time travel,

Hot Rock

SPECIAL DEAL-ebook only .99cents:
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HOT ROCK by Annie Seaton

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 24, 2014

Megan Miller is on a dream trip to research her doctoral thesis at a rock festival in England. When she arrives in town she’s stunned that her temporary neighbor is the spitting image of her 70’s rock idol, too bad he’s also a world-class jerk. So why can’t she stop thinking about him? Seventies rock star Davy Morgan is a man with a secret: rockin’ in one time and living in another. He holds his privacy close to his heart, so when a beautiful girl who not only loves but truly understands his music moves in next door, he works overtime to keep her at a distance. Easier said than done. Megan follows Davy to the rock festival, but it’s not what or when it seems. The lure of the music draws them closer, but can their newfound love span across the decades, or will it get lost in time?

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: HOT ROCK is a paranormal, romantic, time travel storyline that spans 1971 to 2014. Australian sociologist Megan Miller travels to England to research for her doctoral thesis on the cult of the rock band only to discover that her rude and flamboyant neighbor is an identical likeness to 70s rock icon Davy Morgan-a musician Megan has researched in the past.

The storyline follows Megan as she is swept back in time to 1971-to the beginning of Davy Morgan’s career and the very music festival where both of their futures begin to unfold. While staying at a small, village cottage in 2014, Megan meets ‘David Morgan’-nephew to the rock icon Davy Morgan-and an immediate love/hate relationship begins. But when David disappears and Megan follows closely behind, our couple will take their friendship to the next level as Davy’s career and that of his band begin its’ rise up the charts in 1971.

The relationship between Megan and Davy is quick to develop as the storyline encompasses a few days in the life. From frenemies to lovers, our couple is pulled to one another like magnets and there is no stopping the future as it unfolds in the past.

Annie Seaton draws the reader into the fashion, music and discrimination of 1971: where Davy Morgan meets David Bowie; and where ‘peace, love and, rock and roll’ was the anthem of a generation.

HOT ROCK is a quick read, where one woman discovers that her love for the music and the man from 1971 knows no boundaries including the time line and several generations of rock stars and music.

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Sandy

Interview white:black

TRC: Hi Annie and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of HOT ROCK.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Follow: Website / Blog / Facebook / Goodreads /Twitter

Annie_Seaton_200x300This is me… straight from my bio… and it’s all true!

Annie: Annie Seaton lives on the edge of the South Pacific Ocean on the east coast of Australia and she is fulfilling her lifelong dream of working in the publishing industry.

As well as being a publicist and an editor, she is also a writer and has been delighted to discover that readers love reading her stories as much as she loves writing them.
Annie lives by the beach with her own hero of many years and since the children have fled the nest, they share their home with “Bob” the dog and two white cats.
When she is not writing, editing or promoting her authors’ books, she can be found in her garden or walking on the beach…or most likely on her deck overlooking the ocean, a chilled glass of wine in hand as the sun sets.

TRC: HOT ROCK is your February 24, 2014 release. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

Hot RockAnnie: Megan Miller is on a dream trip to research her doctoral thesis at a rock festival in England. When she arrives in town she’s stunned that her temporary neighbor is the spitting image of her 70’s rock idol, too bad he’s also a world-class jerk. So why can’t she stop thinking about him? Seventies rock star Davy Morgan is a man with a secret: rockin’ in one time and living in another. He holds his privacy close to his heart, so when a beautiful girl who not only loves but truly understands his music moves in next door, he works overtime to keep her at a distance. Easier said than done. Megan follows Davy to the rock festival, but it’s not what or when it seems. The lure of the music draws them closer, but can their newfound love span across the decades, or will it get lost in time?

TRC: Who or what was the inspiration behind HOT ROCK? Is the character of Davy/David Morgan based in reality-on any particular male rock singer (past or present)?

Annie: I’ve been a fan of seventies music since…the seventies! It seems that many of my favourite singers were Davids…so my fictional rock star had to be a David. I guess the music that Davy Morgan plays would be similar to David Bowie and in my mind, I imagined him to look like David Essex in his heyday!

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series or is this a standalone storyline?

Annie: This is a standalone book..which is unusual for me. All of my other books are in series.

TRC: How do you keep the plot unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Annie: When I write each day, I go back to the beginning and re edit what I have written so far. That way I can ensure that I am leaving enough clues, yet without giving too much away. I loved the creative freedom of writing the time travel in tis, but my editors kept a very close watch on the continuity…so that was easy to follow the different time periods.

TRC: If you could virtually cast the leading characters in this storyline, which models or actors best represents your ideal image?

Annie: Being an Aussie… I would have to say Chris Hemsworth.. but he’d need to have black curly hair! Johnny Depp would run a close second.

Anne Hathaway would bring that air of vulnerability to Megan’s character.

Outback AffairTRC: Outback Affair (October 2013) is the third storyline in your Affair series. Do you have any plans for another instalment?

Annie: Funny you should ask that. Many of my readers aare asking for another one and I’ve been thinking of a long lost brother…from before Tessa married. We’ll see.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Annie: That is such a good question. I used to be what is called an ‘organic writer’ otherwise known as a panster, but my editors prefer a good synopsis as soon as the book is contracted. Unfortunately my characters never do what I planned but I do think it enriches my stories .

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Annie: The old maxim ‘show versus tell’ is the key to his. It is so important to use words, settings and feelings that let the reader live in the character’s skin. I find this process quite easy as I also work as an editor and am constantly teaching my authors how to remove filter words and phrases that sets up a barrier between the character and the reader’s response.

I think writer’s fail when they provide too much narrative and don’t let the actions and events come out through the characters immersion in a scene.

TRC: Writer’s Block is a very real phenomenon. How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of writer’s block?

Annie: As soon as I am stuck for an idea , I head to the beach. Water is my element and feeds my creative muse (as you can see by my Facebook photos) Many a scene has been written in my head as I walk along the beach.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties (research, logistics, background) did you encounter writing this particular story and series?

Annie: It was easy to write this setting as I visited Glastonbury about eight years ago and had many photos that I took on that visit. I had to rely on my memory for the smells and sounds of the English countryside. I didn’t go to the rock festival so I relied on videos. There is a wealth of material on the internet for research.
I usually write in a quiet room, but I actually played a lot of Peter Frampton music as I wrote Hot Rock…to keep me in the zone.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Annie: I have a couple of fabulous writer friends …who I talk to every day on social media. We bounce ideas for each of our current stories and two of my friends read my manuscripts before they go to the editor.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Annie: I am working on three stories at once…yes I know…crazy writer! I have just commenced the third book in th Half Moon Bay series and am currently trying to get into Georgie’s skin. I am writing a historical book about a missing Emerald necklace (with pirates!) and I am working on a single title…a political romantic thriller set in the outback of Australia.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Annie: Thanks so much for having me visit. I love to hear from readers and answer every email or FB message that they send me. I love talking about my books and I have a reader’s group for each book.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food :Potato

Favorite Dessert: Tiramisu

Favorite TV Show: Big Bang Theory

Last Movie You Saw: Hmmm. Can’t remember…too busy writing. Probably one of the Pirates of the Caribbean!

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark

Secret Celebrity Crush: David Bowie

Last Vacation Destination: Hayman Island

Pet Peeve: Reality TV shows

TRC: Thank you Annie for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best.

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Something to Prove by Shannyn Schroeder – Review, Interview and Giveaway

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Something to Prove by Shannyn Schroeder – Review, Interview & Giveaway

Something to ProveLinks to order Something To Prove:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Two ambitious people team up to prove themselves to their families—and find there may be more to their partnership than just business. . .

Elizabeth Brannigan is determined to show her father she’s capable of running the family business. Saving his struggling Chicago bar seems like the perfect project. But she’ll need a little help dealing with the rough crowd. Who better to assist her than the handsome co-owner of a thriving Irish pub? Of course, with so much work to do, there are bound to be a few late nights. . .

Colin O’Leary’s father passed away before he could prove to him that he wasn’t a screw-up. Now he wants to show his brother he’s responsible enough to own a bar of his own—and Elizabeth may be able to help him. But when their professional aspirations clash, tempers—and passions—flare. Are they mature enough to mix business with pleasure—or will they have to choose between the two?

 

Review:

Something to Prove by Shannyn Schroeder is the 3rd book in her O’Leary’s series.  I have not read the first two books in this series, as this is the first time I have read Schroeder.  After reading this book, I want to go back to the first two books and find out more about this great O’Leary family.  Don’t worry though, this book can be read as a standalone, as you meet most of the O’Leary’s throughout the story. 

Something to Prove is about Colin O’Leary and Elizabeth Brannigan.  Elizabeth, who works for her father’s business, has something to prove, as she is always in competition with her older brother.  She arrives in Chicago to take over an Irish Pub that is a disaster & falling apart.   Elizabeth knows that her brother owns the property, but she is determined to fix it up and make it a viable property to prove to her family that she can do this on her own and sell at a profit.  But it isn’t going to be easy, as she is faced with an impossible task, as well as incompetent employees.

Colin has recently returned to help his family with the family pub, which his brother Ryan runs.  Colin has to prove himself, as Ryan doesn’t trust him not to leave them again.  When Elizabeth does research on the bars in Chicago, she meets Colin and in a short time, Colin goes to work for Elizabeth to help revamp the Irish Pub.  He continues to work late at night for his family bar, but Colin wants his own place one day.  This time he wants the responsibility and to stay. 

There is immediate chemistry between Colin and Elizabeth, but they are two very unlikely people to make any kind of relationship work.  Elizabeth is uptight, a workaholic, and is obsessed with proving to her father that she is capable of taking over his business, as he nears retirement.  She resents her brother always being the favorite in her fathers’ eyes.  She wants nothing to stand in her way, and that includes the sexy fun loving, Colin.  He is most definitely a hunk, who is also a ladies man.  But even though Elizabeth will not mix pleasure with business, Colin finds himself totally attracted to her.  What follows is a wonderful contemporary romance that is against all odds,  

Besides the wonderful romance that slowly builds; the storyline of revamping the bar, sabotage, and meeting the other O’Leary’s was a lot of fun.  Watching Elizabeth slowly find herself unable to resist Colin, and part of her trying to fight it, as she plans to leave Chicago when her job is done, made this even better.   In comparison to Colin, with a wonderful family, Elizabeth was very much alone.  Her father’s tactic of putting the siblings in competition against each other was sad.

At times, Elizabeth was annoying, especially refusing to see how Colin felt about her, and her stubbornness in thinking she had to do this herself, even to the point of not seeing her brother trying to make amends.  Will Elizabeth allow herself to open up her heart to Colin?  Will she convince her father that she can run the company? Will Colin prove himself to have his own place?  Will they both end up together?   You must read this book to find the answers.  I really enjoyed this fabulous and unlikely romance that was a fast and enjoyable read, despite Elizabeth being annoying at times.  Shannyn Schroeder weaves a wonderful story of two people trying to prove themselves to their families, each with their own issues, and finding love along the way.  I wholly recommend reading Something to Prove.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher



Interview-Blueshannyn schroeder

We would like to welcome Shannyn Schroeder to The Reading Cafe today.  Shannyn is here to discuss her new release, Something to Prove, as well as to tell us what she has upcoming in 2014.

 

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

 

 

 

Hi Shannyn.  Thank you for taking the time today, to answer some questions for our members at The Reading Café.  We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.

TRC: Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Shannyn:  First, thank you for having me today. I’m a former teacher who discovered romance after deciding to stay at home with my kids. After reading hundreds of books, I decided to try my hand at writing one.

TRC:  Did you always have an interest in writing?  When and how did you first start writing?

Shannyn:  When I was younger, I wrote. Throughout high school and college, I often wrote poetry or short stories. I never considered writing as a career because I was sure I wouldn’t get a regular paycheck – and I wanted that paycheck. Once I started teaching, writing fell by the wayside, but I rediscovered it after staying at home with my kids for a few years.

TRC:  Something to Prove was released in January, which is the 3rd book in your The O’Leary’s series.  For our members who have not read this series, can you tell us the premise of The O’Leary’s?

Shannyn:   The O’Learys series is based around a large Irish-American family in Chicago. When I wrote the first book, I hadn’t planned to write a series, but by the time I learned about all the O’Leary siblings, I knew I wanted to write their stories.

Each book in the series is a standalone – only the supporting characters and the city of Chicago are the same. There are no cliffhangers or overarching plot elements. Each O’Leary sibling is getting his or her own story.

TRC:  Can you please give us a brief description of Something to Prove?

Shannyn:  Something to Prove is the story of Colin O’Leary, the oldest, and Elizabeth Brannigan. They team up to rescue a failing bar. These two are opposites. Colin is laid back and friendly, while Elizabeth is all business. However, they complement each other well, and they’re both working toward the same goal: to make the bar profitable to prove to their families that they are successful.

TRC:  You write contemporary romance. Have you thought about writing in other genres?

Shannyn:  When I started writing, my first 2 attempts at novels were romantic suspense. I love to read romantic suspense and as writers, we’re told to write what you know. The premise for these books was pretty good, but something was off. It was my voice. It wasn’t until I wrote More Than This that I found my writing voice is contemporary romance. I might try something else somewhere along the line, but I’m having a lot of fun right now.

TRC:  Can you please tell us what you working on now, and what you have upcoming in 2014?

Shannyn:  I just turned in the revisions for Catch Your Breath, the 4th O’Leary book – Moira’s story—which will come out in July. I’m starting Liam’s book now. In addition, I will have 3 non-O’Leary novellas coming out later in 2014.

TRC:  What is your writing process?  Do you like to outline your story before you start? Do you have a specific place you like to write?  Is there a special time of day that works best for you?

Shannyn:  My process starts with learning about the characters. I create collages with photos of famous people who look like my characters (or at least how I envision them). I also create a soundtrack for each book. Then I spend some time staring at pictures and listening to the music. I don’t outline or plot much of anything. I picture some scenes that I think will be in the book, but for the most part, I just sit down and write.

I do have a desk in the guest room where I write. My corkboard hangs nearby with my collages. I do most of my writing there, but I can write anywhere. When I started writing, I only wrote while my kids were in activities – an hour of ballet, an hour of writing. Now that I have deadlines, I try to have a better routine, but I still work around my kids’ schedules. I do my day job stuff in the morning and then write for an hour or 2 before I get the kids from school. Sometimes I write some more at night after they’re in bed.

TRC:  Many authors have friends or family, that they bounce ideas and information back and forth.  Do you have anyone you like to discuss your story with? 

Shannyn:  I have my critique partner, Paly. She is a lifesaver. She likes to plot, which is something I’m horrible at, so when I need to figure out where my story is going, I call her. She also reads my early drafts and lets me know when I’ve screwed up a character.

 

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: chocolate or popcorn

Favorite Dessert: chocolate cheesecake

Favorite TV Show: too many to choose from – Justified, Shameless, Criminal Minds,  Sherlock Holmes…I could go on and on

Favorite Actor & Actress (TV or Movies) – I don’t have a favorite

Last Book You Read: Too Good to be True by Kristan Higgins

Favorite Fictional Character (not your own): Holden Caulfield (Catcher in the Rye) will always hold a special place in my heart, even though I haven’t read him since I was 16. My favorite romance character changes too often because I fall in love all the time with the characters I read.

Milk or Dark Chocolate: milk, unless it’s sea salted dark with caramel

Dog or Cat: dog

Thank you Shannyn for taking the time to answer our questions.  We wish you the best of luck with Something to Prove.  Please keep us informed about your upcoming new releases, as we look forward to working with you again.
giveaway

Shannyn & Kensington Books are offering an ecopy of Something to Prove to one lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-In at the top of the page or by using one of our social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please post your email address along with your comment.

3. Giveaway open USA only.

4. Giveaway runs from February 2, 2014 to February 6, 2014

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Letting Go by Maya Banks-Review, Interview and Giveaway

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Letting Go by Maya Banks-Review, Interview and Giveaway

Letting Go Banner

Letting Go
The Surrender Trilogy #1
by Maya Banks
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, adult, erotic

Letting Go Feb 2014

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Josslyn found perfection once, and she knows she’ll never find it again. Now widowed, she seeks the one thing her beloved husband couldn’t give her. Dominance. Lonely and searching for an outlet for her grief and wanting only a brief taste of the perfection she once enjoyed, she seeks what she’s looking for at an exclusive club that caters to people indulging in their most hedonistic fantasies. She never imagined that what she’d find is the one man who’s long been a source of comfort—and secret longing. Her husband’s best friend.

Dash has lived in an untenable position for years. In love with his best friend’s wife and unwilling to act on that attraction. He’d never betray his best friend. And so he’s waited in the wings, offering Joss unconditional support and comfort as she works past her grief, hoping for the day when he can offer her more.

When he finds her in a club devoted to the darker edges of desire, he’s furious because he thinks she has no idea what she’s getting herself into. Until she explains in detail what it is she wants. What she needs. As realization sets in, he is gripped by fierce, unwavering determination. If she wants dominance, he is the only man who will introduce her to that world. He is the only man who will touch her, cherish her…love her. And the only man she’ll ever submit to.

•••••••••••••••••••

Letting Go begins on the third anniversary of her beloved Carson’s death. She visits his grave and has decided that the time has come to let him go and live her life. Once she leaves his grave, she vows to not return. This is not how she wants to think of him and she knows that he would want her to move on.

Joss has been researching D/s relationships and has decided to visit The House, a club which we learned of in Banks’ Sweet Series, that is a hub of D/s activity. When she tells her two best friends of her decision, she is met with mixed reactions. She knew that Chessy would be supportive seeing as how she was a submissive herself, but Kylie was a different matter. She was Carson’s sister and they had survived a horrific childhood at the hands of an abusive father, and Kylie still bore the scars. But, once she explains things to both of her friends and that she has made her decision, she feels better. And stronger.

The night comes for her visit to The House, and even though she’s nervous, she heads out. And has no idea how much her life will change the moment she enters. Once she has been introduced to one of the male members, they walk through the entry way and walk straight into Dash. She is mortified that her husband’s best friend knows what she’s up to, and, what in the world would he be doing at The House? Once Dash storms over and extricates Joss from the other guy, he takes her home. He thinks she has no idea what goes on there…………….. Oh, what a surprise he’s in for. And, once she finds out Dash’s feelings for her? Let’s just say things get pretty interesting. Fast. Once they decide to give a relationship a chance, will she and Dash truly be letting go?

Maya Banks has done it again. I know there are a lot of books like this on the market, but she always, always makes her’s relevant. Joss is a wonderfully strong heroine. I love how she decides what she wants and goes for it. As for Dash? He’s a great hero, but I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to reach through and pop him upside of his thick head. Once he figures out that he’s been a tool, he moves heaven and earth to make things right. I also love that we get a peak at some characters from her Sweet Series. That’s always a plus for me. The end of the book had me tearing up and cheering, all at the same time. Once again, well done Maya Banks!

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Vickie M.

Interview

ABOUT MAYA BANKS: Maya Banks is a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose chart toppers have included erotic romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and Scottish historical romance. She lives in the South with her husband, three children and a variety of pets.

Follow Maya: Website/Goodreads/Twitter/Facebook

Maya BanksTRC: Hi Maya and welcome back to The Reading Café. Congratulations on your latest release LETTING GO.

MAYA: Thanks for having me back and thank you for the new release congrats! I’m super excited over the release of this trilogy.

TRC: LETTING GO is the first book in your erotic SURRENDER trilogy. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

MAYA: Basically the heroine was married to her soul mate, a man she loved with all her heart but he was killed in an accident which devastated Joss. Unknown to her, her husband’s best friend, Dash, has long been in love with her and he’s stepped in as a source of support for her during the time she’s grieved the loss of her husband, but he’s waiting and watching, battling with himself over when to make his move and his intentions clear.

ORDER: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Letting Go Feb 2014TRC: If you could virtually cast the leading characters (Josslyn and Dash) in this storyline, which models or actors best represents your ideal image?

MAYA: I never ever model my characters after actors. I actually don’t watch much television or movies so I’m woefully ignorant of pop culture, lol. So now, I can’t even begin to cast the characters in my books after actors because each of my characters is unique, which makes them more “real” to me because I build a characters, their personalities and their needs and wants

TRC: Colter’s Gift was the final instalment in your Colter’s Legacy series. Do you have any plans to keep the readers up to date with novellas or short stories about the Colter Clan?

MAYA: Not at present, no. Colters’ Gift was intended to be the final installment in the Colters’ Legacy series.

Colter's GiftTRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

MAYA: It’s a little of both. Sometimes I plan for a story and have a good idea of the sequence of events. But my favorite part of writing are the surprises that pop up as I’m writing. It’s fun and exciting when what I THINK is supposed to happen changes and my characters take me in a different direction. It definitely keeps it fresh and interesting for me!

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

MAYA: I think a writer has to really get into a character’s head and when they’re writing in a character’s point of view they have to take the reader right into what the character is thinking, what they’re feeling and their reactions to things. This is where emotion comes in and without emotion a story will most certainly fall flat.

TRC: If you could become a contestant on one of the reality TV programs, which program would you interest you the most? The least?

MAYA: I’m afraid I’m a tv/pop culture moron, lol. I just don’t watch much television at all! So I really can’t answer this knowledgably because I’m not in touch with what’s popular right now!

Surrender Trilogy

TRC: On what are you currently working?

MAYA: I’m just finishing up When Day Breaks, the 9th KGI story and then I’ll finish out the Surrender trilogy with the last book, TAKING IT ALL.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Cheese or anything WITH cheese! Lol You can’t go wrong with cheese 😉

Favorite Dessert: My made up recipe for a caramel Heath bar pie. It’s to DIE for.

Favorite TV Show: As mentioned above I don’t watch a lot of tv at ALL but I do love crime series like CSI or Law and Order etc.

Last Movie You Saw: I think the last movie I went to was when I took my oldest son to see one of the Harry Potter movies, lol. I don’t get out much!

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Definitely milk. I’m not a big chocolate fan anyway but it has to be sweet for me to eat it!

Secret Celebrity Crush: Definitely Oded Fehr and The Rock, hehe.

Last Vacation Destination: We took a cruise with the kids that we aborted midway through, lol. I have to say I’m just not much of a cruise fan!

Pet Peeve: I HATE when people don’t respond to emails. It makes me crazy!

TRC: Thank you Maya for taking the time to answer our questions and update the readers for 2014. We wish you all the best.

MAYA: Thank you so much! I appreciate y’all very much! Xoxo

giveaway

Maya and Penguin Group Publishing are offering a paper copy of LETTING GO to one lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Giveaway runs from January 27 to January 31, 2014

4. Giveaway is open to USA only.

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Fragile Spirits by Mary Lindsey – Review, Interview & Giveaway

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Fragile Spirits by Mary Lindsey – Review, Interview & Giveaway



Fragile Spirits Banner

 

Fragile Spirits

Links to order Fragile Spirits: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Paul has always known he was a Protector, fated to serve a Speaker who could hear the voices of spirits lingering after death and help those souls find peace.

Vivienne ignores the voices of the dead.

Paul has always followed the Protector’s rule book, preparing diligently for the day when he’d be matched with his Speaker and fulfill his destiny.

Vivienne never does what she’s told.

So when Paul is matched with Vivienne, they both find the pairing less than satisfactory. But a kidnapping, a malevolent spirit and power stronger than both of them may just prove that they are two halves of the same whole.

In a stunning story about the beauty of fate and the power of secrets, Mary Lindsey returns to the world of Shattered Souls with a breathtaking thrill-ride of a novel.

**Note from author: This book begins one month after Shattered Souls leaves off. Lenzi and Alden are featured in this book, but reading Shattered Souls is not a prerequisite

 

Review:
Fragile Spirits is the second book in the Souls series by Mary Lindsey. The story follows Paul Blackwell whose only life’s mission is to fulfill his dream of being a Protector. A Protector to a Speaker who can talk to spirits that are in the between where they need to be.

Paul has always followed the rules, has memorized everything he needs to know to be a good Protector one day. All of that is completely lost when he is finally paired with his Speaker, Vivienne Thibideaux.

Vivienne, does everything against the grain, against the rules, against society. She is the epitome of teenage rebellion and doing anything and everything not to fit in seems to be the life she has chosen.  Until she meets her Protector…

The pairing is undesirable by both Protector and Speaker. But as time wears on and challenges present themselves, walls begin to fall.  It is then that Vivienne realizes that she may just be able to trust this man sent to be her …the Protector.  And that the more you allow someone into your world – the more they may actually want to be there.

I read this book as a stand alone – not having read the first in the series. I must say, I was captivated and absorbed within the first few pages. Reading and finishing this book in one day I found it fast moving and intricately detailed. I wanted to know everything about all of the characters, the Intercessor Council and the way of life for the Protectors and Speakers.  Paul, to me, seemed like and intelligent, studious, goal-minded Protector – ready and willing to do what was needed to be done for his Speaker. Vivienne is an outspoken, rebel, with a bad attitude. But there are reasons for the way she is. I loved how the story is interwoven with the past and the present – giving you insight into how and why Vivienne is like she is. Paul’s back-story was heartbreaking and moving and within that story came love and understanding.

The sub-characters were wonderfully written – my favorite being – Race.  Race is arrogant and sexy and he knows it.  And he wears it quite well.  He is the character you love to hate or is it hate to love?  Hoping and looking forward to his story one day.  Two things I can say in closing about Fragile Spirits – One, I went out and bought the first book in this series, Shattered Souls – because this authors writing and ability to pull you in is definitely something I want more of.  And two, this is definitely a book I will love to and anxiously want to pass this book on to my daughter to read. There are wonderful and meaningful life lessons to be found inside these pages.

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by publisher


Interview-Black and Deep Rose

mary lindsey

 

We would like to welcome Mary Lindsey to The Reading Cafe today.  Mary is here to discuss her new release, Fragile Spirits, as well as to tell us what she has upcoming in 2014.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

 

 

 


Hi Mary.  Thank you for taking the time today, to answer some questions for our members at The Reading Café.  We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book. 

TRC: Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Mary: I live on the Texas Gulf Coast with my husband, three teens, and a menagerie of odd animals. I teach private acting lessons when I’m not writing.

TRC:  Did you always have an interest in writing?  When and how did you first start writing?

Mary: Like most kids, I composed stories, but I never wanted to be a writer. I was (and am) first and foremost a reader.

I majored in English with a focus on the classics. A majority of my writing in college was literary analysis; in law school, it was technical writing and briefs. I avoided creative writing like the plague. In high school, I went so far as to fake sick on days I would have to write a poem or story.

I started writing several years ago by accident. My daughter had just discovered teen literature and had burned through several popular series. She was lamenting the fact that most heroes in paranormal books were demons, vampires or some type of inherently evil creature fighting their wicked impulses. She asked me why the hero couldn’t be a “normal” guy who has some kind of special/magical power, but didn’t have evil impulses.

I told her that for her birthday, I’d write her a book like that. (To this day, I have no idea why I would offer such a crazy thing. I’d never written fiction and had no desire to do so).

True to my word, I gave her a chapter a day for a month. By then, I was hooked and writing was my favorite thing to do.

TRC:  Fragile Spirits was released in January.  How did you come up with the idea of this book?  Is this a standalone book, or will this be a series?

Mary: Fragile Sprits is a companion book to Shattered Souls (2011). It takes place in the same world and features the same characters as the first book, but has a different hero and heroine.

The premise for Shattered Souls and Fragile Sprits came from my youngest daughter when she was a preteen. We got into a discussion (I use that term loosely) over something—I forget what now—that caused her to say, or rather screech, “I wish that for just one day, you could put your soul in my body to see what it’s like to be me!”

Um, no thanks. I’d been her age and going back did not appeal.  However, I was intrigued by that scenario.  Not trading bodies, but two souls in one body. Could you share memories? Did it hurt or feel claustrophobic? Maybe you experience the host person’s feelings, like a magic decoder ring to the heart.

“Hang on,” I told her, “That’s a great idea. I need to go write it down.” I left her mid-teen-angst eye roll and outlined the first book in the series, Shattered Souls, that afternoon.

Fragile Spirits is dedicated to her, appropriately. 

Fragile SpiritsTRC:  Can you please give us a brief description of Fragile Spirits?

Mary: At heart, it is the story of two teens overcoming prejudice and pain from their past in order to achieve their potential. It’s an opposites attract love story centered around mediating for hindered spirits. I think my publisher summed it up beautifully on the jacket copy:

Paul has always known he was a Protector, fated to serve a Speaker who could hear the voices of spirits lingering after death and help those souls find peace. 

Vivienne ignores the voices of the dead.

Paul has always followed the Protector’s rule book, preparing diligently for the day when he’d be matched with his Speaker and fulfill his destiny. 

Vivienne never does what she’s told.

So when Paul is matched with Vivienne, they both find the pairing less than satisfactory. But a kidnapping, a malevolent spirit and a power stronger than both of them may just prove that they are two halves of the same whole.

TRC:  You write mostly in the Young Adult genre. Have you thought about writing in other genres?

Mary: I also write adult romance, both contemporary and paranormal.

TRC:  Can you please tell us what you working on now, and what you have upcoming in 2014?

Mary: I’m working on several projects, both YA and adult. I am working on a Robert Frost-based ghost story that I am loving.  I also have several books scheduled for release in 2014 and 2015 under the pen name, Marissa Clarke. http://www.marissaclarke.com

TRC:  What is your writing process?  Do you like to outline your story before you start? Do you have a specific place you like to write?  Is there a special time of day that works best for you?

Mary: I outline in full before I write. It cuts way down on the rewrites. I write anywhere at any time, but I am not a night person. By 11:00 pm, I’m worthless. The only things I need for this job are daylight, a computer, coffee, and quiet. I do not write to music.

TRC:  Many authors have friends or family, that they bounce ideas and information back and forth.  Do you have anyone you like to discuss your story with? 

Mary: I have a few writer friends I bounce stories off of from time to time. Sophie Jordan (Firelight Series, Uninvited) has been a blessing in my writing life. Another resource is my agent, Ammi-Joan Paquette.  My friend, Kari Olson and author friend, Leah Clifford (A Touch Mortal) were lifesavers with Fragile Spirits. Both of them did a one-day turnaround on the manuscript for me when I had a plot issue. Of course, my best resource for Fragile Spirits, once it was drafted, was the editorial team at Philomel/Penguin. Jill Santopolo is a wonder.

TRC:  Would you like to add anything else?

Mary: I want to thank all the readers who have supported me since the release of my first book until now. You guys are what it is all about.

And thank you for inviting me on The Reading Cafe today.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Sushi

Favorite Dessert: Fudge

Favorite TV Show: BBC Sherlock

Favorite Actor & Actress (TV or Movies) Helena Bonham Carter (esp in Room With a View) Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Irons & John Malkovich

Last Book You Read: The Goldfinch

Favorite Fictional Character (not your own): Severus Snape

Milk or Dark Chocolate: Dark

Dog or Cat: Both, but right now, I have a darling Cairn Terrier named Annabel.

Thank you Mary for taking the time to answer our questions.  We wish you the best of luck with Fragile Spirits.  Please keep us informed about your upcoming new releases, as we look forward to working with you again.


giveawayMary and her Publisher, have graciously offered to give One member of The Reading Café a copy of her new release, Fragile Spirits.

1.  Please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Giveaway open US only.

4.  Contests runs from January 24 to January 27, 2014

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